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Title: Fusarium Wilt of Orchids

Author
item Wedge, David
item ELMER, WADE - CONNECTICUT AGRL. EXP. ST

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2008
Publication Date: 11/12/2008
Citation: Wedge, D.E., Elmer, W.H. 2008. Fusarium Wilt of Orchids. Trade Journal Publication. 2(3):9-10.

Interpretive Summary: The International Commercial Orchid Growers Organization (ICOGO) bulletin is a quarterly Trade Journal specifically written for worldwide commercial orchid growers. The article covers Fusarium disease symptoms with photographs, biology, management, and chemical control for high production facilities with higher than normal disease pressure. The scope of the article is to provide orchid growers with diagnostic guidance for Fusarium wilt, pathogen biology and disease management. Chemical control recommendations are the most up to date suggestions from experience and studies conducted by the authors at the USDA ARS Natural Products Center in Oxford MS and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium wilt of orchids is highly destructive and economically limiting to the production of quality orchids that has steadily increased in many production facilities. Important crops such as phalaenopsis, cattleyas, and oncidiums appear to be especially susceptible to certain Fusarium species. Fusarium wilt appears to be more frequent and severe in commercial nurseries that have adopted newer production technology and pot formulations for fast production cycles. These new production cycles may be increasing the susceptibility of some orchids to this and other diseases. Increased disease incidence motivates growers to increase chemical applications in an attempt to control disease. However, chemicals are often applied too late in the disease cycle for effective disease control. Ultimately, fungicides are applied unnecessarily, valuable time and labor are wasted, and the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogens are increased. This bulletin article covers Fusarium disease symptoms, biology, management, and chemical control.